Business Licenses

House Bill 1050 ratified G.S. 160A-211effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2015. This Bill eliminated nearly all Privilege Licenses that had formally been required to legally operate a business anywhere within the City of Wilson. With the enactment of this new law, alcohol sales and the operation of a taxi/limo/van/transport service are the only businesses that are required to have a Privilege License. This requirement applies whether the business is operated for profit, non-profit or home-based. Financial Services, Accounting division issues Privilege Licenses. A City license is required in addition to any State or County licenses already held.Should you have any additional questions please view the Privilege License Application Instructions.Additional questions may be directed to:
Financial Services
Accounting Division/Privilege Licenses
Lorria Raylray@wilsonnc.org
208 Nash Street, NE
P.O. Box 10
Wilson, NC 27894
Phone: 252-399-2163
FAX: 252-399-2184

Privilege License Application Instructions

Who Must Pay – Any individual, partnership or corporation who operates a taxi-limo-van/transport service or sells beer and/or wine is liable for the City’s Privilege License Tax, unless specifically exempted by Federal or State law or local ordinance. If a company or individual is engaged in more than one type of business activity within the city, a separate license may be required for each type of business activity. A separate license is required for each business location in the City limits.

License Tax Due Date – A privilege license must be obtained by no later than the first day of business operation. Taxi/van/limo/transport licenses expire on June 30th. If the business begins operating after January 31st, the amount of the tax for the tax year ending June 30th of the same year is one half of the annual amount due. If a business ceases operation prior to the end of the period for which the license was issued, the tax shall not be abated nor any part refunded. The Beer/Wine licenses expire on April 30th and is not pro-rated for a partial year usage.

Determine Amount of Tax Due – Examine the Tax Schedule to determine the type codes that apply to your business activity and determine the appropriate license tax. Please follow the instructions for each of the tax schedules.

Payment – Once you have completed your application(s), please review and mail your application and appropriate payment (made payable to City of Wilson) to:

Please make your check or money order payable to the “City of Wilson”. DO NOT SEND CASH.

Display of License – Your license will be processed and mailed to you. Upon receipt, every license must be kept prominently displayed at the place of business of the licensee named in the license. If the licensee has no fixed place of business, such licensee must keep the same wherever such business is being operated and where it can be inspected at any time by the proper official.

General Information – All changes in business ownership, location and/or business activity must be reported to the City of Wilson (phone: 252-399-2163) forty-eight hours in advance of a change in address, ownership or if business operations cease. Such change may alter the classification of the business and/or tax obligation of the business owner.

Disclaimer – The issuance of a privilege license does not constitute acceptance or approval of the use of the named location as having complied with existing building codes, fire prevention code, zoning code, city ordinance, or state law. A licensee shall remain fully liable and responsible for bringing the premises in conformity with all applicable City and State Codes.

All changes in business ownership, location and/or business activity must be reported to the City of Wilson forty-eight hours in advance of a change in address, ownership or if business operations cease. Such changes in business activity may alter the classification of the business and/or tax obligation of the business owner.Contact: Lorria Ray, phone: 252-399-2163.